RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effects of ration protein and energy balance on physiological status: The effects of different ration protein and energy balance on physiological status is showed in Table 2.

Based on Table 2, it can be seen that the body temperature of sheep in each treatment is in the range of 39.08-39.28°C. The value for each variable in general is in a relatively narrow situation so that after statistical testing using analysis of variance does not show a significant difference. The absence of changes in physiological status is thought to be related to the factors that can influence it are still at the limit that can still be tolerated by sheep in each treatment.

Rectal temperature is a good indicator to describe the internal temperature of the animal’s body. Rectal temperature is also a parameter that can show the effect of environmental stress on sheep. The average temperature of research sheep under normal conditions is 39.08-39.28°C. The rectal temperature of sheep in the tropics is in the range¹¹ of 38.2-40°C. Temperature is a measure to determine the intensity of heat, while the amount of water vapor in the air is called humidity¹². The sheep’s rectal temperature is directly proportional to the ambient temperature. Higher ambient temperature causes sheep’s rectal temperature high. Rectal temperature, skin surface temperature and body temperature increase with increasing ambient temperature¹³.

Respiration greatly affects the body’s needs in certain circumstances, so that the need for food substances, O₂ and heat can be fulfilled and substances that are not needed can be removed¹⁴. In this study, the respiratory frequency of sheep is between 39.23-43.67 times min^–1, which is quite high. Tropical sheep have a respiratory frequency ranging¹¹ from 15-25 times min^–1. It was reported that increasing energy consumption increases the respiration rate¹⁴. The highest average respiratory frequency was found in treatment P6, 41.98 times min^–1. Increased energy and protein consumption will result in increased O₂ demand, due to an increase in metabolism in the animal’s body. The increased need for O₂ must be balanced with an increase in breathing so that the body functions normally. The high frequency of breathing is also influenced by the ambient temperature.

The increase in ambient temperature causes the heart rate to increase in an effort by sheep to be able to compensate for the high ambient temperature, so that the body temperature stays within normal limits. The range of normal sheep heart rate¹¹ is between 70-80 times min^–1. this regard, it was reported that heart rate can increase up to more than twice when active in activities. A sharp increase in heart rate occurs when an increase in ambient temperature, movement and muscle activity¹⁵. In this study, the heart rate of sheep ranged from 62.67-90.25 times min^–1. Similar with the heart rate, the results of the pulse of the study sheep was between 69.33-91.00 times min^–1.

Sheep is regarded as homeotherm animals which maintain their body temperature in a relatively constant state even if the ambient temperature changes. Basically, the source of heat for livestock aside from the environment can also be sourced from food and metabolic products. There were no significant differences in physiological parameters affected by the treatment given, possibly because livestock are still able to overcome the effects arising from heat from food. This means that the quality of the ration in the form of energy and protein balances is thought to be still within tolerable limits. Physiological status as a physiological indicator is not affected as a result of livestock still having good tolerance.

Table 2:	Effects of different ration protein and energy balance on physiological parameters in Garut sheep
R1: Basal ration with 12% protein content and 60% TDN, R2: Basal ration with 12% protein content and 65% TDN, R3: Basal ration with 14% protein content and 60% TDN, R4: Basal ration with 14% protein content and 65% TDN, R5: Basal ration with 16% protein content and 60% TDN, R6: Basal ration with 16% protein content and 65% TDN, NS: Non-significant

Table 3:	Effects of different ration protein and energy balance on hematological parameters in Garut sheep
R1: Basal ration with 12% protein content and 60% TDN, R2: Basal ration with 12% protein content and 65% TDN, R3: Basal ration with 14% protein content and 60% TDN, R4: Basal ration with 14% protein content and 65% TDN, R5: Basal ration with 16% protein content and 60% TDN, R6: Basal ration with 16% protein content and 65% TDN, Means with different superscripts within a row indicate significant difference (p<0.05), NS: Non-significant

Effects of ration protein and energy balance on blood haematological parameters: The effects of different ration protein and energy balance on blood haematological parameters are showed in Table 3.

From Table 3, it can be seen that the number of erythrocytes is in the range between 3.83-5.14 million cells mm^–3, the number of leukocytes between 9,525-16,833 cells mm^–3, haemoglobin levels between 10.33-13.93 g dL^–1, haematocrit levels between 30.00-39.00% and platelets 48,250-85,000 cells mm^–3. To find out the difference statistically, a diversity test was performed and subsequently tested using Duncan’s multiple range test.

Even though there is a large difference, but it turns out that after statistical analysis it did not show a real difference in the level of erythrocytes. The same is true for haemoglobin levels and thrombocytes counts. Significant differences found in the number of leukocytes and haematocrit levels (p<0.05), in which the number of leukocytes R4 is higher compared with other treatments. Similar with the number of leukocytes, the haematocrit levels in R4 is significantly higher when compared to other treatments (p<0.05).The normal haematocrit values of sheep range⁹ from 27-45%, therefore, the haematocrit levels in animals in this study is within the normal range. Haematocrit levels were already used as a parameter to detect either anaemia that caused by parasitic diseases¹⁶, nutritional status or immunological status¹⁷. Furthermore, it was reported that haematocrit values of sheep that susceptible to parasites were lower compared to healthy sheep, suggesting a higher haematocrit value within normal range can be regarded as healthier animal¹⁶.

Low nutritional ration affects animal immunity¹⁸, therefore, it is necessary to protect the body from various disease attacks by increasing leukocytes. Animals will have better endurance in high nutritional content so that leukocytes are not as much as in animals with low nutritionalration.

Haematological profile is basically a physiological condition that is maintained in a relatively constant condition¹⁹, therefore, this is part of the homeostasis process. Relatively long treatment conditions there are several components that can change or experience a shift in the new equilibrium conditions.

Knowledge of the haematological status is basically an important part of studying blood physiology. The finding in this study is in line with earlier study which stated that important parameter to determine the blood physiology is haematological status, including the number of erythrocytes mm^–3, haematocrit values and haemoglobin levels²⁰. Hematological status is also useful information to determine animal health, the metabolic system, including the physiology of growth and reproduction, also depends on several blood components²¹. The blood component in animals is very dependent on the level of feeding, geographical height, strain (genetic), climate, age, sex, ambient temperature and physiological status²².

Data on the number of erythrocytes in this study did not show any significant difference in the range of 4 million mm^–3 and the highest number was achieved in R1 of 5.14 million cells mm^–3. It seems that the amount of erythrocytes is maintained in a relatively stable amount because it has more general and basic physiological functions²³, as it is known that the formation of erythrocytes or erythropoiesis is regulated by a glycoprotein hormone called erythropoietin which has a molecular weight of 60,000-70,000 that is stable at high temperatures. Haemoglobin levels also did not show any significant difference, however, the same pattern showed the highest value at R4 with the value of 13.93 g dL^–1 and the second largest at R5, which was 13.53 g dL^–1. Earlier study reported that haemoglobin is influenced by nutrients, especially protein content^24,25.

This study found that the balance of protein and energy in the ration did not directly affect the physiological status and haematological profile. However, it seems indirectly affect the health status and performance because the significant difference of leukocytes was found. As stated early, leukocytes orchestrated the animal’s immunity, hence it will affect the general health status in the long run. Although the results seem convincing, further study need to be done on other blood parameters, such as blood metabolites and mineral content to verify if this phenomenon is having the same trends with above-mentioned parameters. As this study tries to explore the ration protein and energy balance effects to Garut sheep, the results are then limited to Garut sheep strain under tropical condition and circumstances.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that the provision of energy and protein balance in the ration did not have a significant effect on physiological status. The same is true for hematologic blood, except for leukocyte and haematocrit indicators. Giving rations with a 16% protein balance and 60% TDN energy is enough to maintain the performance of the sheep.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This study found a possible synergistic effect of protein and energy balance that could be beneficial to maintain the physiological and haematological status of Garut sheep under tropical circumstances. This study will help researchers find the right combination for optimal ration. Thus, new theories about this combination and possibly other combinations, can be explored further.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks the Rector of Padjadjaran University through the ALG Research Project, chaired by Prof. H. Ana Rochana. Thanks also to Fery, S.Pt and Saeful Rachman, S.Pt. who helped us in this experiment.